[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11687]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 IN RECOGNITION OF SHIRLEY E. COVERDALE

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. TIMOTHY H. BISHOP

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 18, 2012

  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Shirley E. 
Coverdale, First Lady of the First Baptist Church of Riverhead, New 
York, who is being honored on July 21st for thirty years of service to 
her church and community.
  In her tireless work on behalf of others, Mrs. Coverdale has come to 
embody the mission of the church where her husband, Charles Coverdale, 
serves as pastor. As a faith community, First Baptist seeks to offer 
hope and service to both its members and the community at large. Mrs. 
Coverdale's hand and heart have been instrumental in almost every 
aspect of the church's work.
  Specifically, Mrs. Coverdale has served as Sunday school 
superintendent; director of an after-school mentoring program in 
collaboration with the Riverhead School District; developer of a 
computerized membership and financial management database for the 
church; project manager for C.A.R.E, which established a volunteer 
corps of senior citizens; grant writer; fundraiser; and catalyst for 
legislation that improves the quality of life for ordinary people.
  Furthermore, Mrs. Coverdale is committed to social justice, care for 
the elderly and infirm, education, and leadership development. She is a 
powerful voice for people in need, and an advocate for the less 
fortunate among us. In her current work as Executive Director of the 
Family Community Life Center in Riverhead, New York, she is 
spearheading the development of a Community Benefit District that 
includes housing for working families, a recreation complex, an early 
childhood development center and an adult day health program.
  In typical fashion, Mrs. Coverdale also finds time to do the 
important hands-on work of the church and is presently the caregiver 
and guardian for the oldest widow in the church. I am proud to know 
Shirley Coverdale and to represent her as a constituent in New York's 
First Congressional District. I know that her husband, two children, 
eight grandchildren and great-grandchild are also proud of her.
  Mr. Speaker, Shirley E. Coverdale has indeed earned the title of 
First Lady of her church in a multitude of ways, perhaps most 
importantly through being a living example of the ideals she espouses.

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